Neuromuscular massage therapy is a type of massage that is specifically designed to target the muscles and nerves. It can be used to help relieve pain, tension, and stiffness in the muscles, as well as improve circulation and mobility.
The therapist will use a variety of techniques to assess and treat the muscles and nerves. This may include deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, and stretch exercises.
Neuromuscular therapy is often used to treat conditions such as neck pain, lower back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and migraines. It can also be used to help prevent injuries and to speed up the healing process after an injury has occurred.
Neuromuscular trauma massage therapy is also known as Trigger point myotherapy. It is recognized by the American Academy of Pain Management as an effective therapy for back pain caused by soft tissue injury.
What is Neuromuscular Massage Therapy?
Neuromuscular massage is a type of manual massage that employs digital pressure and friction to relieve muscular strain. It uses focused pressure to the trigger point over time, usually with the fingers, knuckles, or elbow. Pressure should not vary for 10 to 30 seconds after it has been applied.
The trigger points are tiny areas in which there is a contracture of tissue, and the lack of blood and nutrients in that area causes the muscle to be unable to relax. They are painful or sensitive areas that tend to be the source of persistent muscular discomfort symptoms.
Such a region is hyperesthetic, and it can produce discomfort, tiredness, and weakness in the muscle. Referral pain is caused by trigger points, which are tender spots that cause discomfort in regions far away from them.
Neuromuscular trigger point Massage vs. Deep Tissue Massage
Neuromuscular therapy is sometimes referred to as deep tissue massage, but it differs from traditional deep tissue massages by its specific focus on the muscles and the nervous system. Some of the differences are discussed below:
1. Specialization
Deep tissue massages are meant to stretch or lengthen contracted tissues. It’s generally given on an on-off basis whenever a person feels the need for a little more rest. Neuromuscular massage, on the other hand, is a medical treatment. Its manual therapy techniques are highly specialized and intended to alleviate pain and movement disorders by treating trigger points, muscle adhesions, and connective tissue patterns.
2. Trigger points
Neuromuscular trauma massage therapy also targets trigger points that cause pain in regions that may not be near them physically, which is not the case with a neuromuscular massage. Trigger points are another difference between neuromuscular massage and deep tissue massages.
In a traditional deep tissue massage, the therapist will stretch, lengthen, or roll out muscle tissue to release contracted areas that may be holding tension. The muscles will feel soft and pliable after a deep tissue massage. Trigger points, on the other hand, are tender and sensitive, and they need to be treated with a more focused approach.
3. Certifications
When it comes to neuromuscular therapy vs deep tissue massage, one of the most significant distinctions is your massage therapist’s training. Your massage therapist may only perform neuromuscular massage if he or she has received specialized training. A masseur without this education and certificate cannot provide neuromuscular massage treatment at all! A neuromuscular massage therapist will usually have more extensive training. You can look at their education and certification to see what their specialty is.
Deep tissue massage does not require a specific massage therapy degree, whereas deep tissue technique does not require such certification. Of course, your masseuse must have a formal education.
4. Treatment Objectives And Therapy Approaches
While the overall goal of each of these massage therapy is to improve health and well-being, their overall goal and objectives is different
Deep tissue massage is a type of powerful massage that focuses on musculoskeletal concerns. The technique uses slow, deep strokes and strong pressure to treat muscular pains and aches.
- On an “as needed” basis, deep tissue massage is typically sought.
- Deep tissue massage can cure a variety of ailments in one session.
Neuromuscular therapy can be compared to medical massage in terms of its goals. It’s a highly specialized and rather focused therapy technique. NMT focuses on subacromial impingement, which causes chronic stiffness and discomfort.
5. The conditions treated by these massage therapies
Both of these treatments are technically designed to treat muscular pains. However, one treatment may provide superior results for particular aches, pains, and ailments.
Deep tissue massage is ideal for treating aches and pains that are caused by your connective tissues. Deep tissue massage is beneficial in the treatment of the following conditions:
- Limited mobility problems
- Post Injury recovery
- Recurrent strains
- Muscle tension
- Fibromyalgia
- Sciatica
- Chronic pain
NMT, on the other hand, is ideal for those who have chronic pain as a result of more serious diseases. Trigger points may be the root of the problem for some people, so this condition must be specifically treated. NMT is effective in the treatment of the following conditions:
- Myofascial pain syndrome
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tension headaches
- Chronic neck pain
- Shoulder pain
- TMJ disorder
- Osteoarthritis
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Nerve damage
- Nerve compression
- Neural entrapment
- Ischemia
- Myofascial trigger points
- Dysfunctional gait patterns
- Low back pain
- Upper back pain
- Carpal tunnel-like symptoms
- Sciatica-like symptoms
- Calf cramps
- Plantar fasciitis
- Tendonitis
- Knee pain
- Jaw pain
- Tempomandibular joint pain (TMJ disorders)
- Hip pain
- Iliotibial band friction syndrome
As you can see, these two modalities are similar but different. Although they both use slow strokes to improve the movement of your musculoskeletal system, neuromuscular massage focuses on treating trigger point areas that may cause chronic pain.
Benefits of Neuromuscular trigger point therapy
Many benefits can be gained from neuromuscular massage therapy, including:
- Relief from pain and tension in the muscles that is caused by physical injury or stress. Neuromuscular massage therapy has been proven to be most effective when used with other forms of treatment. Most doctors recommend it for patients who are suffering from chronic pain or discomfort, particularly when the pain is located in a specific area.
- Improved blood flow to the muscles can help with soreness, swelling, and post-injury healing.
- Release of endorphins that reduce discomfort and increase a sense of relaxation in the body.
Role of The Therapist and Client in Neuromuscular Therapy Treatment
The client plays a big role in neuromuscular therapy treatment.
- First, the client must relax during the massage therapy session to ensure that all of the muscles can be relaxed. This is done by communicating with your therapist throughout the session, informing them of any areas that are still tense.
- The therapist will also use various techniques to help the client relax, such as deep breathing exercises and gentle music.
- The therapist’s role is to use their hands to manipulate the muscles and tissues in a way that will provide relief from pain and tension. They must also be aware of any areas that are causing the client discomfort and work to release those muscles.
The Importance of a Therapist’s Hands in Neuromuscular trigger point Massage
For neuromuscular massage therapy to be effective, the therapist’s hands must be strong and capable of providing deep pressure.
This type of massage therapy is not for those with a weak tolerance for pain or those who are seeking a gentle massage.
To enroll in training as a neuromuscular therapist, potential therapists must first work as a massage therapists and demonstrate their skill level before being accepted into the program. Massage therapy schools typically offer neuromuscular therapy courses as part of their curriculum.
Neuromuscular therapy Massage Therapy and pain reduction
Aching muscles are caused by muscle spasms that are painful to the touch. Ischemic muscular tissue causes pain. The muscle is devoid of adequate blood flow owing to muscular spasms, which is known as ischemia. As a result of this, there follows an undesirable sequence:
- Because the muscle does not get enough blood, it does not receive enough oxygen. The lack of oxygen causes the muscle to produce lactic acid
- Following physical activity, lactic acid makes the muscle feel painful.
After the massage therapy, the lactic acid gets released from the muscle, and the muscle receives enough blood and oxygen again.
Neuromuscular therapy may be uncomfortable at first, but the strain should relieve muscular spasm. It’s critical to discuss pressure with your massage therapist right away, whether it’s too much or not enough. The therapist should pay attention and respond accordingly. It is never necessary to apply too much force during a massage. The majority of people, on the other hand, recognize the pressure as “excellent pain.”
The technique used in Neuromuscular release therapy
Neuromuscular therapy is also called Neuromuscular Stretching which is a form of stretching that focuses primarily on the myofascial system. It entails applying varying levels of intense pressure on the regions of muscle spasm. The massage therapy pressure is usually delivered using fingertips, knuckles, or elbows. For 10 to 30 seconds, the pressure must not vary when it is applied to a muscle spasm.
The pressure must be delivered with the proper amount of exertion. No other body part must touch the client while this particular massage therapy technique is used. This ensures that the therapist will not lose focus on where precisely they are applying treatment, allowing them to perform their job perfectly.
Neuromuscular treatment also involves “pin and stretch.” In this technique, the therapist finds a tight muscle and uses their fingers to press into it. They then use their other hand to gently pull on the muscle, stretching it out. This is a very slow process, as the muscle must be allowed enough time to adjust to the new position. If done too quickly, the muscle will tense up and negate the treatment.
Neuromuscular massage therapy techniques are most effective when used on muscles with an overt spasm, atrophy, or tender points.
What to Expect Following Massage Therapy
Following a neuromuscular therapy massage, any pain that appears should go away after 24 to 36 hours. Depending on stress, the tense muscles should remain noticeably more relaxed for 4 to 14 days.
Where Is Neuromuscular Therapy the Most Successful?
Neuromuscular treatment is effective in a variety of conditions, but it is particularly useful for treating whiplash, biomechanical dysfunction, nerve compression, or postural distortion. The application of neuromuscular therapy can benefit patients suffering from ischemia or with myofascial trigger points.
Why Neuromuscular Therapy is effective?
When the body is injured, blood vessels in that region of the body are naturally restricted. This is crucial since it prevents bruising, but it can also cause a tightening of the muscle. When the muscle is overly tight, it becomes hypertonic and a build-up of poisons can cause circulation to be reduced (ischemia). Toxins might boost nerve sensitivity and give discomfort. The powerful muscles may also pinch nerves and other muscular tissues, producing additional suffering.
The goal of neuromuscular therapy is to loosen (hypertonic) muscles that are causing the pain. This restores normal circulation and breaks down pollutants, reducing suffering. The muscles return to normal function, and the body regains equilibrium.
Conclusion
Neuromuscular therapy is effective in treating a broad range of pain syndromes and headache issues. It’s a safe, natural alternative to pain medicine that works for most patients. However, individuals who have been diagnosed with suspected fractures or torn tendons or muscles should not execute the treatment. Therapists with limited upper body strength, as well as patients with inflammatory illnesses such as arthritis, may find it difficult to apply pressure.
If you are experiencing chronic pain or discomfort, neuromuscular therapy may be the treatment for you. Talk to your doctor to see if this is a viable option for you and to find a therapist who can help you begin your journey to relief. Remember to visit our site for your massage supplies if you’re a therapist!
